Panthers announce preseason schedule

WCNC5:54 PM. EDT April 10, 2017

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Carolina Panthers will play host to two teams that reached the postseason last year during the 2017-18 season’s preseason, the team announced Monday.

The Panthers will open the preseason at home against the Houston Texans, who are led by Rock Hill native Jadeveon Clowney and NFL All-Pro J.J. Watt. Three weeks later, the Panthers will close out the preseason with a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, continuing the teams’ annual meeting in the preseason.

Sandwiched between those home games will be road trips to Tennessee and Jacksonville.

This is the fourth consecutive season that all four opponents on the Panthers’ preseason slate are from the AFC. The Panthers will meet Tennessee in the preseason for the second straight year. They last saw Jacksonville in exhibition action prior to the 2006 season.

Carolina is 43-46 all-time in the preseason. The Panthers have finished .500 or better in the preseason in each of their seven playoff seasons.